Red Light On Dash?

[MY300]

Hi to all ...Just a question on this red light that came up on dash .I did drive with my hand brake on say 200 meters got the hand brake chime and so released the handbrake then noticed this red light flashing ..Its in between speedo and fuel gauge and the speedo needle is pointing at it in pic..
drove another 1 km turned engine off and restarted and was redlight went off..Looked in manual and cant find what this light indicates....
Anyone know??? ...Thanks ..cheers Frank

[joey]

Maybe the Security Indicator? Lights up when Vehicle Theft Security System is on. Couldn't find this in the owners manual, but the Service Manual mentions a light for the VTSS. But the Service Manual doesn't have a good picture of the entire dash showing where this light is located.

[MY300]

hi Joey.... thanks mate ...yes that what is when alarmed that light comes on ...not sure why it came on while driving though.... confused computor I suppose thanks ...Frank

[57 HEMI]

You sure its not ur empty fuel light...!! just an idea if its next to the fuel gauge..

[snoopdolks]

Hi Frank. Don't have a definitive answer for you at the moment but I'll check thru some papers that the friendly service guys gave me that explains the instrument cluster and see if there is anything in there. There might also be something in the service manual (there's a link on the forum where it can be downloaded) that explains what it is.

I do get that particular light flashing though when I use the Flashpaq to program the car so it might have something to do with the computer "self testing" or something like that.

I'll let you know what I can dig up.

Sean.

[frank29]

Unless you're an "internet nut swinger"", it is unsettling to see a red light flashing on your instrument panel.

On a more serious note: as far as I'm aware, that light's function is limited to the alarm system. Like you, I have had strange experiences with that light. More than one time (I think it happened two or three times), I have started the car only to see that light flashing on and off......each time a restart had "fixed" the situation.

Write it off as a fluke....assumimg you don't have repeated experiences.

[joey]

The explanation below is from the 2005 Service Manual.
The Security Indicator also has some connection to the Sentry Key.


SECURITY INDICATOR
The security indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS) is arming or is armed. On models equipped with the Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS), the security indicator also gives an indication to the vehicle operator of the status of the SKIS. This indicator is controlled by a transistor on the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming, hard wired inputs to the cluster from the various security system components, electronic messages received by the cluster from the Sentry Key REmote Entry Module (SKREEM) over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus.

The security indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) is completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit, and that logic will allow this indicator to operate whenever the instrument cluster receives a battery current input on the fused B(+) circuit. Therefore, the LED can be illuminated regardless of the ignition switch position. The LED only illuminates when it is provided a path to ground by the instrument cluster transistor. The instrument cluster will turn
on the security indicator for the following reasons:

² Bulb Test - Each time the ignition switch is turned to the On position the security indicator illuminates for about two seconds as a bulb test. The entire bulb test is a function of the SKREEM.

² VTSS Indication - During the sixteen second VTSS arming function, the cluster will flash the security indicator on and off repeatedly at a steady, fast rate to indicate that the VTSS is in the process of arming. Following successful VTSS arming, the cluster flashes the security indicator on and off continuously at a slower rate to indicate that the VTSS is armed. The security indicator continues flashing at the slower rate until the VTSS is
disarmed or triggered. If the VTSS has alarmed and rearmed, the cluster will flash the security indicator at a steady, slow rate for about thirty seconds after the VTSS is disarmed.

² SKIS Lamp-On Message - Each time the cluster receives a SKIS lamp-on message from the SKREEM, the security indicator will be illuminated. The indicator can be flashed on and off, or illuminated solid, as dictated by the SKREEM message. The indicator remains illuminated solid or continues to flash until the cluster receives a SKIS lamp-off message from the SKREEM, or until the ignition switch is turned to the Off position, whichever occurs first. For more information on the SKIS and the security indicator control parameters, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY/SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM - OPERATION).

² Communication Error - If the cluster receives no SKIS lamp-on or lamp-off messages from the SKREEM for ten consecutive message cycles, the security indicator is illuminated by the instrument cluster. The indicator remains controlled and illuminated by the cluster until a valid SKIS lamp-on or lamp-off message is received from the SKREEM.

² Actuator Test - Each time the instrument cluster is put through the actuator test, the security indicator will be turned on, then off again during the bulb check portion of the test to confirm the functionality of the LED and
the cluster control circuitry.

The instrument cluster circuitry controls the security indicator whenever the ignition switch is in the Off position and the VTSS is arming, armed, or alarming. Whenever the ignition switch is in the On or Start positions, the SKREEM performs a self-test to decide whether the SKIS is in good operating condition and whether a valid key is present in the ignition lock cylinder. The SKREEM then sends the proper lamp-on or lamp-off messages to the instrument cluster. For further diagnosis of the security indicator or the instrument cluster circuitry that controls the indicator,
8J - 72 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - SERVICE INFORMATION LX (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING). If the instrument cluster flashes the security indicator upon ignition On, or turns on the security indicator solid after the bulb test, it indicates that a SKIS malfunction has occurred or that the SKIS is inoperative. The Security indicator is serviced with the instrument cluster.

[snoopdolks]

Well that solves that little mystery then huh!

The paperwork from the dealer that I have also suggests (by a process of elimination of a possible 19 on our version of 300C as this is the only "dot") this light is the VTA (Vehicle Theft Alarm) indicator light. I don't have scanner and the photos I've been trying to take of the documents are awful.

Thanks Joey for the info.

I wonder why it is illuminated whilst connected to the Flashpaq? Another mystery.

[MY300]

Well a big thankyou to all... especially Joey your time and effort is much appreciated...Its great to know that there are many forum members who go out of their way to support and help....cheers Frank